Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka Plans To Take Diffrent Approach In 2017

One of Minnesota’s newest political powerbrokers is settling into his role.

Republican Sen. Paul Gazelka was chosen last week as the next Senate Majority Leader. Gazelka will take the helm of a slim majority when the Legislature convenes in early January.

Gazelka takes over Senate Republicans after their previous leader, Sen. David Hann, lost his Eden Prairie seat. Gazelka told Minnesota Public Radio News a leadership spot wasn’t on his radar a week ago.

Gazelka is a third-term senator from Nisswa who is pro-gun, anti-abortion and supporter of traditional marriage. But he says those issues may not crop up in 2017.

It’s a sign Republicans are wary after losing House and Senate majorities in 2012, when they spearheaded constitutional amendments to require voter ID and ban same-sex marriage.